CINCINNATI -- While the Nationals waited out a nearly two-hour rain delay in Cincinnati, they received encouraging reports from the organization's Triple-A club in Rochester, N.Y.
Right-hander Michael Soroka was dominant with 11 strikeouts in his third rehab start recovering from a right biceps strain.
“That’s a great sign for us,” manager Dave Martinez said after the Nationals’ 6-1 loss to the Reds.
Soroka allowed four hits, one run and three walks in five innings with the Red Wings' 15-14 win against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The run came on a third-inning home run to Rafael Lantigua off a fastball down the middle. Soroka reached 94 pitches, and he located 60 of them for strikes.
Soroka, 27, was placed on the 15-day IL on April 4, retroactive to April 1. Depending on how Soroka bounces back this weekend, his return to action could be near.
“If he comes back tomorrow and says he feels good, then we’ll talk to him, we’ll have him throw a side, and then we’ll see where we’re at,” said Martinez.
Soroka got to face Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh on Friday, who is rehabbing from a right hamstring strain. Soroka fanned Marsh on three pitches in the first inning. In their next matchup, Marsh singled on a popup to left fielder Andrew Pinckney that was deflected by third baseman Brady House in the third inning. Soroka issued a full-count walk to Marsh in the fifth frame.
Soroka has a 3.75 ERA in three rehab appearances. He pitched twice with Double-A Harrisburg -- pitching 2 2/3 innings (two hits, two runs, three strikeouts) on April 22 and 4 1/3 innings (four hits, two runs, four strikeouts) on April 27 -- before progressing to Triple-A.
Soroka sustained the strain during his season debut in Toronto. He left the game in the fifth inning with a biceps cramp. Soroka, who has battled injuries throughout his career, has been invested in the recovery process. He treats every rehab outing as he would any other regular-season start.
“Once you’re out there, you’re competing,” Soroka said on April 23. “Obviously, it’s a little bit different and the setting’s different and whatnot, but I try to do everything I always would. I’m no stranger to rehab starts, unfortunately, and it’s something that you’ve got to do.”
Soroka signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Nationals this winter. He is in his first full season back in the starting rotation after pitching out of the White Sox bullpen for the majority of last year.